Saint Matthew vs Saint Luke
Tax collector with coins vs physician with the ox.
Coins on the table = Matthew; ox in the corner = Luke.
Saint Matthew
Apostle, evangelist, and author of the first Gospel
Angel/winged man, coins, counting table
- Winged man angel, money bag
- Tax-collector clothing in narrative scenes
Saint Luke
Evangelist, physician, and author of the third Gospel
Ox symbol, painter attributes, medical hints
- Ox only, medical or painting attributes
- Slightly softer, more pastoral tone
In the museum or church
Gospel book covers often stamp the evangelist symbol in gold on the binding.
Why they get confused
Both are bearded evangelists writing at desks in Renaissance Gospel cycles.
Quick recognition
- ›Always find the tetrad symbol first.
- ›Coins → Matthew.
At a glance
| Saint Matthew | Saint Luke |
|---|---|
| Angel/winged man, coins, counting table | Ox symbol, painter attributes, medical hints |
| Matthew: money, tax imagery, winged human symbol | |
| Luke: ox, Madonna portraits (legend), physician patronage | |
Similarities
- Writing Gospel
- Mature bearded type
- Desk scenes
Common mistakes
- Desk scene without symbol = guesswork
- Confusing ox and winged man in monochrome
Related comparisons
Saint Matthew
Saint John the Evangelist
Money and a winged man = Matthew; eagle and youth = John.
Winged man or money bag vs eagle and youthful face.
Saint Luke
Saint Mark
Ox for Luke; lion for Mark.
Ox and physician iconography vs lion and shorter beard.
Saint Luke
Saint John the Evangelist
Ox = Luke; eagle = John.
Ox and physician vs eagle and youth.